Northwestern head men’s swimming and diving coach Jarod Schroeder will step away from the program to pursue a graduate degree full-time, the school announced Friday. Schroeder was head coach for nine seasons after spending one as an assistant. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach from 2000-2006.
The announcement comes just two days after head women’s coach Abby Steketee announced her resignation — though hers came without an explanation.
“We are extremely grateful for Jarod and his dedication to our men’s swimming and diving program,” said Northwestern Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. “For nearly a decade, his student-athletes and staff have been great representatives of Northwestern University. We wish Jarod and his family all the best moving forward.”
Northwestern sent swimmers to the NCAA Championships in six of Schroeder’s nine seasons. Most notably, under Schroeder, Jordan Wilimovsky (Class of 2017) was an Open Water World Champion and Olympian, as well as a five-time All-American and 1,650 free Big Ten champion (2015). Wilimovsky took gold in the men’s 10k open water event at the 2015 FINA Open Water World Championships to qualify for the Olympics and then placed second in the 1500 free at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials to become the first American swimmer in history to swim at the Olympics in pool and open water events.
“I am so appreciative for the opportunity that Northwestern and Dr. Phillips have provided me,” Schroeder said. “Thank you to all the world-class student-athletes, coaches and administrators I’ve had the privilege of working with during my time here. I hold this University in the highest regard and look forward to seeing the continued progress this swimming and diving program makes in the future. My family and I are excited about this next chapter in our lives.”
Northwestern will conduct a national search for its next head coach, and no announcement has been made about the fate of the rest of the coaching staff — the online coaching page has not yet been updated. As to whether the school would consider combining the men’s and women’s programs now that there are coaching vacancies in both, the school told SwimSwam that it is “exploring all options.”
This is just comical
0erhaps NW should join the SEC where great academic institutions prevail
NU has trouble competing in the B1G. The SEC is way more competitive. They would be lost.
He has been burned before and perhaps knows the signs. On his terms this time perhaps. Great guy. Best of luck to him.
From experience, it would seem like the athletic department provided the coaches with the “option” to resign, so that the athletic department can move forward with new leadership for both teams. Since both coaches have done so, it would not be a big surprise if the positions were combined and a Head Women’s & Men’s Coach was hired.
But then again, I could be completely off the mark too!!!
As a proud Northwestern alum, I want to thank Jarod for the opportunity that he gave me to swim at Northwestern. It was an experience that meant a lot to me and my family, and I will be forever grateful for Jarod for facilitating the opportunity. I wish Jarod and his family the best in their future. I hope the athletic department chooses to continue to provide the same opportunities under new leadership into the future. Their continued continued commitment to athletics is demonstrated by the recent opening of the new athletic facility on the lakefront. This will make the school a more attractive choice for recruits in the years to come. GO CATS!
Could not agree more Van.
NU just opened a state of the art facility, mostly for football, but adjacent to the pool. The swim team will be able to access most of these areas which includes new lockers, weight room and meeting rooms. In the past they have had to trek to the weight room near the football stadium more than a mile away. It will make NU a much more attractive option for incoming recruits. GO CATS!
Doug Lennox could be a fit…..from the area, great swimming and coaching pedigree!
This does not look good for NU. Couple of thoughts that immediately come to mind…they are losing support (scholarships/funding/etc) from Dept and neither coach willing to captain a sinking ship. They are combining like the majority of other Big Ten schools. Or Abby and Jarod know something about the programs future or lack thereof.
Maybe throwing some $ at one of the worst pools in the BIG when you build a multi million $ football facility next door…
The pool isn’t that bad.
No info but wondered if once they knew the men’s coach was leaving, they ended the women’s coach contract with the thought of having one coach responsible for both.